Key ejecting vehicle ignition switch



KEY EJECTiNG VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH Filed Nov. 8, 1966 INVENTORS.

VINCENT EGROCOTT AND BY v MARTIN EBREIT ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice 3,360,619 Patented Dec. 26, 1967 3,360,619 KEY EJECTING VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH Vincent E. Grocott, 148 Oakview Road, and Martin E.

Breit, 1600 19th St., both of Beaver Falls, Pa. 15010 Filed Nov. 8, 1966, Ser. No. 592,913

2 Claims. (Cl. 200-44) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a novel key-operated ignition switch for vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to a key ejection device in an ignition switch which automatically ejects the key when turned to the off position.

A common cause of automobile theft is the habit of leaving a key in an ignition switch while the vehicle is parked. It is very easy to forget to remove the key if a firm habit has not been established. A key left in a parked vehicle presents a temptation and an invitation to car thieves.

An important object of this invention is to provide a device which will automaticatlly eject the key into the operators hand when the ignition is turned cit thereby forcibly reminding him to take the key.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a device which can readily be installed in an ignition switch with some modification during the manufacture of the same.

Other important objects and advantages will become more apparent from a study of the following description taken with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an ignition switch;

FIG, 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1 and showing the ignition switch of the present invention in the off position;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 except that the switch is shown in the on position With the key shown in a rotated position; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the key ejecting plunger and spring means embodying the principal features of the present invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, an ignition switch for vehicles, generally denoted by numeral 2, has a slot 4 for the insertion of key 32. Tumbler 6, which is under tension by a helical spring 12, is positioned in switch 2 to receive key 32. Lug 8 of tumbler 6 fits into slot 9 of bracket 10, which is rigidly attached to switching plate 14. When tumbler 6 is rotated by the turning of the key, lug 8 locks in slot 9 and causes switching plate 14 to rotate to various switching positions.

A stationary element 16 has a plurality of terminals 18 which are connected to various electrical circuits in the vehicle, such as ignition, starting circuits and accessory circuit. As the switch plate 14 rotates, it forms an electrical connection with the various circuits connected to element 16, thereby selectively completing the desired electrical circuits.

The abovementioned ignition switch and its principal components shown are not claimed as new. However, when combined with the following additional elements (best shown in FIG. 4), they constitute a highly useful improvement from the standpoint of safety.

Plunger 24, which comprises an essential part of the invention, is disposed in a groove 9, offset from slot 9 in the center of bracket 10. One end of plunger 24 is disposed in slot 4 and in line with the path of key 32. The other end of the plunger 24 is attached to the spring receiving cup 26 in offset relation to its center so that the center of cup 26 is coaxial with slot 9 and spring 30.

Spring 30 is a helical spring which is supported, at one end, in cup 26 and at its other end on washer 28 which, in turn, is attached to the switch plate 14.

In operation, key 32 is inserted into slot 4 thereby moving plunger 24 longitudinally with compressed spring 30. The key is then turned to one of the desired electrical switching positions. While in that position, the key is locked in place by the locking action of tumbler 6 so as to prevent the key from moving out of the selected position. When the key is returned to the off position, spring 30 is free to expand, thereby pushing plunger 24 against key 32 so as to eject it forcibly from slot 4 and into the hand of the operator. In this way, it becomes impossible to leave the key in the ignition switch when the engine and the electrical system are turned off.

Thus it can be seen that we have invented a novel device for automatically ejecting an ignition key when the switch is turned to the off position; we have also provided a device that is simple in construction and operation and is readily adaptable to ignition switches for use in all types of vehicles.

While we have illustrated and described a single embodiment of our invention, it will be understood that this is by way of illustration only, and that various changes and modifications may be made within the contemplation of our invention and within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. In an ignition switch for vehicles having a fixed cylinder, a tumbler rotatable therein by a key from the off position to different electrical switching positions, a rotatable switching element having a substantially cupshaped end portion With a central slot into which a projection from said tumbler is detachably inserted for turn ing the switching element to selected positions, a stationary switch element cooperating therewith, spring means in said fixed cylinder between said stationary switch element and said rotary switching element, a second slot eccentrically positioned in said end portion of said switching element, a plunger rod extending through said second slot in oifset relationship to said projection and in the path of said key and arranged to be ejected by said spring means when said tumbler is rotated by the key to the off position.

2. An ignition switch as recited in claim 1 wherein said second slot is continuous with said first slot and wherein said spring means includes a helical spring, a cup shaped element for receiving one end of said helical spring and being eccentrically connected to said plunger rod, the other end of said helical spring being connected to said stationary switch element to provide the key ejecting force.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,641,920 6/1953 Gill et al. 200-44 X 2,655,569 10/1953 St. John 200-42 2,774,855 12/1956 Simmons 200-44 X 2,830,448 4/1958 Monest 200-44 X 3,217,114 11/1965 Proctor 200-44 ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner. H. J. HOHAUSER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN AN IGNITION SWITCH FOR VEHICLES HAVING A FIXED CYLINDER, A TUMBLER ROTATABLE THEREIN BY A KEY FROM THE "OFF" POSITION TO DIFFERENT ELECTRICAL SWITCHING POSITIONS, A ROTATABLE SWITCHING ELEMENT HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY CUPSHAPED END PORTION WITH A CENTRAL SLOT INTO WHICH A PROJECTION FROM SAID TUMBLER IS DETACHABLY INSERTED FOR TURNING THE SWITCHING ELEMENT TO SELECTED POSITIONS, A STATIONARY SWITCH ELEMENT COOPERATING THEREWITH, SPRING MEANS IN SAID FIXED CYLINDER BETWEEN SAID STATIONARY SWITCH ELEMENT AND SAID ROTARY SWITCHING ELEMENT, A SECOND SLOT ECCENTRICALLY POSITIONED IN SAID END PORTION OF SAID SWITCHING ELEMENT, A PLUNGER ROD EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SECOND SLOT IN OFFSET RELATIONSHIP TO SAID PROJECTION AND IN THE PATH OF SAID KEY AND ARRANGED TO BE EJECTED BY SAID SPRING MEANS WHEN SAID TUMBLER IS ROTATED BY THE KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION. 